Photo by Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi 

Abu Dhabi has announced the launch of a new visa counter to grant visas to both transit and arriving passengers within 15 to 30 minutes.

The new service, located at Terminal 3 transit area at Abu Dhabi International Airport, includes issuance of the new four-day, or 96-hour, transit visa for all nationalities travelling through Abu Dhabi International Airport, local media reported.

The new counter will issue several types of mission and tourist visas available to travellers who do not come under the current ?visa upon arrival? scheme. It is also issuing the new 96-hour transit visa, which is a key part of Abu Dhabi?s ongoing efforts to attract more visitors to the capital.

The visa, which costs Dh300, can be used by passengers with planned trips from Abu Dhabi, or who are travelling through Abu Dhabi to their destination if their layover exceeds four hours. Passengers can apply for transit visa both at the new visa counter on arrival, or through the online designated portal, provided they meet the application criteria. Travellers can also request to change their transit visa to a tourist visa at the airport if they are planning to extend their stay in the capital.

The announcement, made by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airways and the Abu Dhabi General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs, is part of the ?Life in Abu Dhabi? initiative.

Established in May 2017 as part of the Government Services Office at Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Life in Abu Dhabi is an annual gathering aimed at developing a number of public sector services for the government of Abu Dhabi.